Kia PV5 electric van becomes a police car with a drone on the roof
An ordinary delivery van has undergone radical changes. The Kia PV5, until recently known as a versatile electric work vehicle, has now been reclassified for law enforcement. The company has signed an agreement with the National Police Agency of South Korea to create a high-tech patrol car with artificial intelligence, which is also equipped with a drone.
Exterior design and main feature
Visually, the PV5 already looks impressive thanks to its futuristic LEDs and smooth surfaces. For its new role, it received a police livery with blue and yellow graphic elements on a black and white body. However, the main “highlight” is the roof extension, which houses an integrated drone station.
When the PV5 arrives at a scene, part of the roof opens, and an automated police drone with artificial intelligence takes off. It performs aerial patrols in narrow alleys and dangerous areas where the van itself or officers cannot or should not go.
Technical equipment of the drone and van
The drone is equipped with a thermal imager and a 90x zoom camera, which is a useful tool for tracking suspects or searching for missing people. After completing its mission, it returns to its docking station and charges using the van’s V2L system. As for the PV5 itself, no changes to the battery or electric powertrain have been reported.
The roof design also includes three AI cameras that provide 360-degree coverage with no blind spots. The software is smart enough to identify suspects by their clothing or accessories, working through a crowd in real-time and marking potential matches.
Artificial intelligence capabilities
The artificial intelligence can also detect specific threats, such as individuals carrying weapons or injured citizens who may have fallen to the ground. It even includes crowd density monitoring to alert authorities about potential overcrowding risks in public places.
Future plans
The police Kia PV5 is scheduled to begin pilot operation in June 2026. It will become part of the metropolitan unit for preventive patrol of the South Korean police, focused on crime prevention and rapid response.
Although this particular AI-powered patrol car is exclusive to Korea, it will be interesting to see if the PV5 becomes a base for police modifications in other parts of the world.
This move by Kia demonstrates how electric vehicles can be adapted not only for commercial purposes but also for specialized government needs. The integration of the drone and AI cameras turns an ordinary van into a mobile command center, significantly enhancing the efficiency of police work in urban environments. It is worth noting that the use of V2L technology to power the drone is a practical solution that reduces the need for additional equipment. If the pilot project proves successful, it could open a new market for electric commercial vehicles in the security sector around the world.